Monday: Hope in Jesus’ Soon Return
Daily Lesson for Monday 24th of June 2024
Read John 14:1-3 and Titus 2:11-14. In the light of the challenges of the future and the coming time of trouble, why are these verses so encouraging?
Jesus’ words, “ ‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ ” are His reassurance that He will never leave us and is coming again to take us home. This world is not our home. A better day is coming.
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Once in every 25 verses, the New Testament speaks of the return of our Lord. When the days are dark and the oppressive enactments of a church-state power threaten our lives, the promise of Christ’s coming fills our hearts with hope. This is the “blessed hope” that has inspired the faithful people of God in every generation.
Read Revelation 6:15-17 and Isaiah 25:8-9. Contrast the attitudes of the saved and the lost revealed in these verses. What explains the difference between these two mindsets?
The wicked realize the horrible consequences of sin while the righteous have accepted the marvelous provisions of grace. Rebellion against God leads to fear, guilt, condemnation, and eventually eternal loss. Our response to His saving grace leads to forgiveness, peace, and joy eternally at His glorious return.
Read Revelation 15:3-4 and Revelation 19:7. How will the redeemed respond to the glorious salvation provided so freely through Christ?
“The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ crucified. . . . That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 651.
Read Revelation 12:17; Revelation 17:13-14; and Revelation 19:11-16. Carefully notice the progression of these verses. What does the progression in these verses say about earth’s last war and Christ’s ultimate victory?
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For Seventh-day Adventists, the hope of Jesus' return is part of our DNA. We have preached it for nearly a couple of centuries and most of us have read Ellen White's description of the event:
The fact remains that such an event is seen as fantasy by a generation that has been brought up on special effects in movies and video games. Preaching an apocalyptic end-time event to world history is just like a video game with flashing lights and loud noise. The second coming only has meaning if Christianity has a message for the present.
In teaching science, one of the major principles is that you teach from the observable to the unknown. You start with things you can see and touch and develop and grow your understanding to the big ideas of science behind the observable.
For our big ideas of Christianity - salvation and eternal life - we must begin with observable, touchable, loving, caring Christianity. It is much more than the fulfilment of prophecy. Our vision of the future must be reflected in our interactions with people in the present.
Very well said with such a wonderful example explanation.
I agree with Dahlia to have your personal anecdotes and stories compiled in a book. Thank you very much for your service in helping us to understand.
You need to have someone compile your personal anecdotes and stories into a book.
I became recently aware that I learn more from experiences that illustrate in a tangible way, the truths that are espoused by true Christians.
Thanks for sharing your life with us.
The sabbath School material in the Sabbath School Net is So very helpful Thank you for this material. May God continue to bless this endeavor
Although we may not see the great controversy surrounding us all, it's impossible not to feel the barriers and limitations we are all confined to. (Thank God for His promise of rescue.) May we remember, at least briefly, the freedom God desires for us?
I believe that Jesus return is soon, however we are to wait and watch without somnulence. We are to busy ourselves with living the gospel. How do we live the gospel, by being kind to all we come in contact with? Make friends with those who walk through the doors of our church.
1 Thessalonians 1:3.
Another way to occupy till He comes is to feed the hungry, which my not always be physical sustenance. We can feed the gospel to hungry souls. We keep in mind the 3 W's, waiting, watching, and working, or occupying till He comes, if we prefer.
Matthew 25:35-36
1 Thessalonians 5:6-11.
Isaiah 58:10-11.
Some may not know of what Ellen White gave us with the following admonition.
Christ, the Master of the household, has gone to prepare for us mansions in the heavenly city. We are waiting for His return. Let us honor Him in His absence by doing with faithfulness the work He has placed in our hands. Waiting, watching, working, we are to prepare for His return. If we are faithful, if we serve Him with full purpose of heart, He will receive us with the gracious words, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." He will receive us with honor. To us will be given a crown of glory that fadeth not away, and a new name, "which no man knoweth saving He that receiveth it." Those who follow Christ here will one day "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." RH May 27, 1902, par. 15
Matthew 25:34.
Revelation 19:12.
Revelation 14:4.
My country had a 6.2 earthquake. So many felts it while so many were asleep in their beds felt nothing. What ever condition we die in Jesus has come for us
All I can think of is “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face, The one who saved me by His grace,
When He takes me by the hand and lead me to the Promised land,
What a day, glorious day that will be. “
Let us live with the hope of eternity ever before us.